Garwood Republicans File Nominations to Fill DeFilippo's Vacant Council Seat

Garwood Republicans have nominated three former council candidates to fill the unexpired term of Victor DeFilippo who recently resigned because of work duties.

Republicans chose 2012 election candidate Michael Martin and 2011 candidates Carol Kearney and Steven Blaufeder.

All three candidates are local small business owners: Martin owns Promotional Rental in Garwood; Kearney owns Unique Cruise and Travel in Garwood; and Blaufeder owns and manages TT Cycles, a custom motorcycle import/export business in Berkeley Heights.

Within 30 days, council must select one of those nominees to fill the position. If council cannot agree on a candidate within 30 days, the Republican Committee has another 15 days to appoint one of the nominees as DeFilippo's successor. Also, if the Republican Committee fails to submit nominees within 15 days, council can then appoint a successor from within the Republican party.

At Tuesday's Garwood council meeting, council members decided not to choose a candidate yet. They have one more council meeting before they must choose.

DeFilippo resigned on Feb. 12. In a resignation email to Borough Administrator Christina Ariemma, DeFilippo cited a change in his employment, including a change to his hours and duties, as the reason for his exit.

"It was a pleasure to work with all of you," DeFilippo wrote in the email. "I can tell you this was not an easy decision."

DeFilippo was elected to council in Nov. 2010 and his three-year term would have ended in December of this year.

John Quattrocchi, the mayor's husband who also serves as the Garwood Republican Committee Chair, said he was shocked by DeFilippo's exit and that he had no forewarning that the councilman would resign.